Give Undivided Attention

How to Manage Digital Devices and Get Your Family Back

By Geoff Steurer

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

1. Be like the Savior: give undivided attention.

The Savior showed us what it looks like to truly be with others without distraction. Throughout His ministry, He always focused on the individual: the woman with an issue of blood, the blind, the leper—Christ gave his full attention to them all. When He showed the Nephites His wounds, He didn’t rush the process. Rather, the people went “forth one by one until they had all gone forth” (3 Nephi 11:15; emphasis added).

As we model this practice, we teach our children how to truly be in one place at a time instead of splitting their attention between devices and those around them. When you’re talking with someone, especially a child or spouse, give them your full attention by putting your phone away.

Sadly, it’s become the norm to turn away from those we love to answer a text and attend to someone else’s need. This can have a negative effect on our relationships and may send an unintentional message that the person in front of us is less important.

Make a commitment to those in front of you that they have priority over interruptions from your smartphone or device. Look them in the eye. Listen as the Savior would. Focus.